Fear of Fire and Shadow (The Fade #1) - Samantha Young Page 0,71

them and I had to walk right into their midst—but his fortification sent the wrong message. It isolated Arrana, made it a lone entity, separate from Haydyn’s Phaedra.

What must the people of Alvernia think? Or any people who crossed the border into Alvernia? It was unwelcoming and superior. Worse, it was aggressive.

This, too, would have to change.

This would never do, I thought glumly, watching Markiz Andrei follow the servant girl’s bosom with his eyes whilst his father, Vojvoda Andrei, tried to convince me that his son would be a brilliant match for Haydyn. I found it difficult swallowing my fish as I dined with them. I studied the junior Andrei as he smiled at me, and I bemoaned the vapidity behind his eyes. The poor boy wasn’t lascivious or cruel. He was just … silly, and … well, not very intelligent. He was so wrong for my Haydyn. Haydyn needed someone as clever and passionate as she was, someone who stood up for her and to her.

Someone like Matai.

All of a sudden, I felt unbearably sad.

I let Wolfe and the vojvoda do all the talking. I smiled enough so as not to seem unpleasant and bored, but I was sure the vojvoda was puzzled as to why Haydyn would send an advisor on her behalf who had barely opened her mouth.

But I was buried by the troubles of Phaedra. Buried and useless. I needed Haydyn to wake up. I had needed her to wake up before she fell ill. I only hoped that she would once I provided the cure and told her all I’d learned. To begin with, marrying Andrei would be a terrible mistake.

So lost in my problems, I barely noticed that Wolfe had finagled it so that he was the one to walk me to my room. As we drew closer and his arm brushed mine, my awareness of him drew me out of my musings.

I glanced at him, experienced more than a twinge of desire, and looked away. We hadn’t talked or been this near to one another in some time. Not since Caera.

“In the morning, you and I will leave for the mountains.” Wolfe stopped and I drew to a halt, turning to him. We looked one another in the eye for the first time in days. “We’re going to pretend we’re taking a tour of Alvernia and its people, but in reality we’re going to retrieve that plant.”

I knew if I didn’t try to dissuade him after all we’d been through, he’d be suspicious. I had to give a little argument, even though I already had my plan at the ready. “Do you really think that’s wise … considering?”

“Considering?”

“Considering you hate me.” I held my breath, waiting for him to dispute it. I knew he cared. I just needed him to admit it.

Haven, I wished my heart would make up its mind!

I felt a sharp pain somewhere near the said organ when he shrugged. “It’s my duty.”

I bit back a hurt retort. “Fine. I want it noted that I dispute the idea. For future reference.”

“Noted.”

I nodded and turned to go into my room, disbelieving this would be the last thing I said to him before heading into the wilderness. I might never return.

I stilled as his hand wrapped around my upper arm. I glanced up nervously as he sidled closer, his eyes challenging me to stop him. I didn’t. I let him kiss me. I thought it would be a hard kiss meant to dominate, but instead he surprised me with a soft, seductive brushing of lips and tongue, meant to melt me. Even as he kissed me, giving me what I wanted, I ached with longing.

When he pulled back, Wolfe’s cheeks were flushed and he gazed at me again with that soft curl of his lip, bright gold in his blue eyes. “I want it noted that I don’t hate you. For future reference.”

Before I could stop it, a small smile tilted the corners of my mouth. “Noted. Although I must protest that you keep forcing unwanted kisses on me.”

“Unwanted indeed.” He raised a knowing eyebrow.

Arrogant knave.

I shook my head, feeling sad and happy at the same time. “Why do you persist, Wolfe?”

His grin was slow and wicked as he retreated. “Strategy.”

“Strategy?”

He cocked his eyebrow. “At first I thought imposed isolation would make you miss me—”

“Why, you arro—”

“But then I realized that it’s being near me you can’t resist. And there are only so many kisses you’ll take before you give in to